Joseon Needs a Coup - Chapter 143



Only Noblemtl

#143. World’s collide (4)

“We need to buy time. Is it because of the situation between Russia and Japan? There was a saying in the world. Russia and Japan tried to exchange the candy they had in a bottle, Manchuria and the Korean Peninsula, but no one was able to open their fists from the bottle containing the candy. Haha, that was an interesting story.”

“inspiration.”

“There will be no war between the two empires. But since it is you and not someone else, I am a little interested.”

He gestured to the police officers escorting him, carrying their bags on their backs, to stand back for a moment.

“May I ask why the Chief of Military Affairs thinks such a thing?”

“Japan will choose war if negotiations with Russia and Russia end without any results. They have no intention of backing down, and no reason to do so.”

“Nostalgia is a large and powerful country. No matter how good Japan is at war, isn’t the difference in size… a difficult factor to overcome?”

“Inspiration, war is not about size. It is about who knows the other party’s weaknesses better, moves most boldly, and makes the fewest mistakes. And Japan meets these conditions.”

That was the difference between Russia and Japan. In terms of size, Russia was much larger. Its army numbered well over a million, and from the beginning, its industrial capacity and war-fighting ability were incomparable to those of China.

But the railway is not yet completed, and the Russian army is completely unprepared for war in the Far East.

The total number of troops in the Korean Empire’s army was now similar to the number of Russian troops deployed in Manchuria.

The situation was quite bleak, as it required covering the entire 800km stretch from Lushun to Vladivostok.

On the other hand, the Japanese army had been continuously increasing its military since 1896, and although its overall number of troops was small, it was powerful enough to overwhelm the Russian army in the Far East.

Moreover, if they are in Confucius’ position, the story becomes even easier.

While the defender had to deploy his entire force evenly along the defensive line, the attacker could pour in as many forces as he wanted, when and where he needed them.

It was obvious who had more freedom in deploying troops in the huge battlefield of Manchuria, so Japan had the upper hand.

“We shouldn’t go to war right now. Both Russia and we need more time to prepare.”

“Your point makes sense. However, Japan cannot go to war right away. It is because their guardian nation, Yeonggili, is still tied to Africa. They cannot wage war without Yeonggili’s support.”

“They will be back soon. Don’t you know why Japan is suddenly acting so hard?”

British forces eventually took control of virtually the entire Transvaal.

Despite fierce resistance and guerrilla warfare by the Boer Commandos, the British brought the entire Transvaal under their boots with an army of over half a million men.

And now it was time to brutally suppress the guerrillas, which meant that their war would be over within a year.

Without even a single piece of land to occupy, the guerrilla warfare taking place across the country was bound to have its limits.

Many guerrillas have met their end that way, so it will be no different here.

Moreover, the scorched earth tactics that the British army will carry out… will be brutally effective.

“Are you saying that there is a British Empire behind Japan?”

“They have been behind the scenes since the Boxer Rebellion was in full swing. The reason Japan is now being so aggressive toward Russia and China is because Britain is watching over them.”

“Hmm. Then wouldn’t that be a problem?”

Lee Yong-ik grimaced as if he had a headache. Even if he did his own calculations, it was clear that this would result in a deficit.

“Then how can I help you?”

***

A few days later, Lee Yong-ik invited me to Gyeongungung Palace. He said it was a tea time hosted by His Majesty the Emperor himself.

The road was more difficult than expected because it required passing between the Iljinhoe, which was staunchly committed to neutrality, and the Independence Association, which opposed it and frequently called for independence.

Of course, since he was in the position of the Director of Military Affairs, he was well-protected and was able to avoid any unfortunate events, but the atmosphere was more serious than expected.

I also thought that a large-scale riot that would be difficult to suppress even by police could easily break out.

As I entered the palace, the eunuchs guided me to a well-decorated garden. Looking at the European-style Seokjojeon, the emperor, Lee Yong-ik, and his loyal officials were sitting in the well-decorated garden.

“Oh, it’s been a while. It’s been really hard for me to see you these days.”

He just didn’t call me because he found it annoying.

The sound was coming out of my throat, but I held it back and bowed politely.

“Have a seat. I ordered a nice meal for you this time.”

“yes?”

I wondered what they were talking about, and then several eunuchs brought something in a glass bottle. It smelled exactly like coffee.

“I heard that there is a place in the market that specializes in gabae these days. I heard about it and ordered it several times, and it was quite delicious.”

Now that I think about it, it seems like the delivery business started in the late Joseon Dynasty, and it seems like it has found its market now.

The desserts enjoyed by the royal family began to spread to the common people, and the market grew as they spread to households that were struggling to make ends meet.

Certainly, as money began to circulate and it became possible to make a living from the war, people began to explore new hobbies and foods in this way.

“This was made by a chef brought directly from France, so try it.”

I wondered how much all this would cost. They say that the consumption of the imperial family’s wealth has been increasing recently, and this shows that it is.

The glasses placed in front of me were all high-quality tableware purchased in France, so it goes without saying.

“By the way, why do you come to see me, Jim?”

“Your Majesty, things are not normal outside. If we are not careful, war could break out. We must prevent this.”

“Oh really, you came all the way here to say something like that?”

Lee Wan-yong, who was supposed to be the governor of Jeolla Province, was also there.

He looked at me with an annoyed expression, and the other ‘barrels’ had similar looks.

In recent times, the influence of this gathering of ‘ministers’ who gathered to drink coffee with the emperor was so great that it was called ‘gabbadang’.

Judging from the fact that the officers and bureaucrats of the Hanseong Club were so indignant that they even compared them to the ten elders, it seems that they were seriously showing off their power.

It is said that it really started to raise its head from the moment the Boxer Rebellion was suppressed.

“Your Majesty, the negotiations between Russia and Japan are not good for us. No matter what they conclude, we will inevitably be plunged into the chaos of war.”

“Don’t you want a war to break out? That way you will be more successful.”

“···If a war breaks out with Japan, we will lose. Assuming that a war breaks out as it is now, we will not be able to hold out for even a month and a half before we have to give up our entire mainland.”

It was the most optimistic result among the mock battle results of the Wonsoo Department.

The possibility of our victory in a full-scale war against Japan without Russian intervention has approached zero.

The result of giving up on defending Hanseongbu and concentrating forces in the north was somewhat better.

If it weren’t for the nonsense called the Great Qing War, the troops and resources of North Pyongan Province and North Hamgyong Province would have been preserved and we could have prepared properly.

It was a result I didn’t want to admit, but I had to accept it.

Even though the war is taking place on the mainland, the front line will collapse without any additional supplies and troops being supplied.

“Isn’t this a pessimistic result?”

“This is the most optimistic outcome, Your Majesty. If we do not act now, we will go into war unprepared. With Russia also unprepared, a war with Japan will surely end in tragedy.”

“···What is the basis for this?”

“Why would Japan come out so strongly against Russia and China now? Because they have something to trust. They have the strength, confidence, and determination to push back our forces and Russia and China’s forces on the Korean Peninsula and in Manchuria. This meeting should not end in Russia and China’s favor, nor should it end in Japan’s favor. We must maintain the current situation. That is the only way to prevent war.”

After much deliberation, we concluded that the status quo was maintained. Whether Russia or Japan ended the negotiations in their favor, they were both poison to us.

In the former case, Japan would refuse to comply and enter the war with British support, while in the latter case, Russia would focus on defending Manchuria and take a step back from the Korean Peninsula.

If that happens, it’s obvious what kind of atmosphere the country will have. It could end up like South Vietnam after the US military withdrew.

The Korean Peninsula, abandoned by Russia, will become a power vacuum, and Japan will immediately start making moves.

The current pro-Russian/pro-royalist coalition government will collapse and a pro-Japanese government will be established, using a puppet government to lead the country in the direction they want.

And whatever the direction, it all boils down to making the Korean Peninsula their agricultural base and a gift box that will fulfill their ambitions to expand further into the continent.

“So what is your strategy?”

“Please bring the great powers into the negotiation table now taking place between Russia and Japan. If possible, we too should appear in the negotiations.”

The only thing that could avert the current crisis was the intervention of the great powers.

They had to be warned that the current situation in Asia could lead to a war in Europe, and that it could actually happen.

I don’t know if they’ll actually hear it, but I already have signals ready to use on them.

“We must send an envoy to the Governor-General of the Far East, the Russian-Australian fleet in Port Arthur, and the Tsar, and receive assurances of our security from them, and we must involve France. Since Japan has involved England, we must join hands with France, our Russian-Australian ally, to deal with the present situation. Otherwise…”

“Your Majesty, I think the Director of Military Affairs is tired. He is talking nonsense. There will be no war between Russia and Japan. Rather, you should punish the Director of Military Affairs for trying to instill fear in the people as well as Your Majesty’s sincerity by talking nonsense about war!”

“Enough, Jim is curious about his story. Continue. Why are you so sure that the European powers will intervene in this easternmost matter?”

The Emperor raised his finger and spoke. Those who had displeased expressions were displeased, but I didn’t care. Now, it was not them who had to be persuaded, but the Emperor.

“They are wary of the new rising power, and the British cannot display the same power as before. If Britain, which supports Japan, and France, an ally of Russia, come into conflict, what will happen in Europe?”

“Three European countries are involved right now···.”

“Because of their relationship, the whole of Europe could be thrown into a war. If that happens, everyone knows that it will be something no one wants.”

In particular, the growth of Germany was a source of tension for both Britain and France. France was wary of Germany’s large and advanced land forces on its border, and Britain was wary of Germany’s navy, which, through its massive shipbuilding programmes, was challenging its naval supremacy in Europe.

If the problem in the Far East spread and Britain and France came into conflict, it would only benefit Germany and the Kaiser.

Well, it was a happy thing for Austria-Hungary, too, because Russia, which was fighting in the Balkans, would be in trouble because of the war in the Far East.

It was difficult to explain the complex political, diplomatic, and military situation within Europe, as the misfortune of our neighbors was our happiness, and their wars were our opportunities.

However, I did explain the situation briefly so that he could understand, and that was quite helpful.

The emperor began to react immediately.

“Is that something Jim should send special envoys to resolve?”

“We can just involve France. As long as France is involved in the problem, England and Japan cannot act recklessly as they do now.”

To be exact, it would be closer to the French Foreign Minister Delcassé spitting blood and tearing apart the relationship between Russia and the UK and Japan.

I don’t know if he understood my meaning or not, but the emperor smiled a mysterious smile.

It was a smile that was neither smiling nor serious, something in between.

“Let me ask you just this one question. Do you think there will definitely be a war?”

“War is inevitable. But we just don’t know when it will happen. It could happen tomorrow night, it could happen in three months, it could happen this year. But the general is here to make sure it doesn’t happen today.”

If you were to count the minutes on a clock, the hour and minute hands, which represent war, would be at about 11:57.

This should have been turned back to 55 minutes, if not 50, to increase the chances of survival.

“Okay, I understand. Let’s have dinner at the main office tonight.”

“Your Majesty, I am very grateful.”

Phew, that’s a relief. I had to get my mind straight from now on.

Because neither Russia nor Japan had to start tightroping to ensure that they could win this negotiation.

It was time to show everything a small country could do.